Causes of Insulin Resistance, Symptoms and Treatment
Oftentimes, for reasons we shall see later in this article, the body is unable to respond to the insulin produced in its own pancreas. Now, insulin’s major function is to open the muscle cells in order to allow glucose into the cells. When the cells do not respond to the insulin produced in the body, glucose from the blood cannot enter the cells and blood glucose levels rise. In this article, we take a look at the reasons for this resistance, symptoms, treatment, and prevention.
Understanding insulin resistance (impaired insulin sensitivity)
In a healthy body, food that is consumed is broken down into glucose, which enters the bloodstream, signaling the pancreas to secrete insulin. The insulin acts like a key opening up the cells to allow glucose to enter the cells. Glucose is essential for the creation of energy, however, when cells in the muscles, liver and other tissues do not respond to insulin, the glucose in the blood is unable to enter the cells and this leads to a build-up of glucose in the blood. If left untreated, this progresses to diabetes and brings a host of complications from heart damage to kidney failure.
It is believed that excess body fat—belly fat, and insufficient physical activity are the two main causes of insulin resistance.
- Excess body fat:
As fat collects in your midsection, known as visceral fat, and spreads to cover organs like the pancreas, liver and kidney, it begins to compromise their functionality, leading to insulin resistance. In addition, this belly fat contributes to inflammation in the body, which is another cause of insulin resistance. A general rule of thumb is that your waist measurement should not exceed half your height. So if you’re 170 cm tall, a waist measurement of 85 cm is your outer threshold.
- Some medications:
It has been seen that some medicines also lead to insulin resistance, for instance, steroids, some immunosuppressant drugs, like those used to treat HIV, some blood pressure medications, and certain psychiatric medications.
- Hormonal disorders:
Problems with some hormones can also lead to insulin resistance. For instance: Cushing’s Syndrome—a condition characterized by excessive cortisol in the body; hypothyroidism—sluggish or inactive thyroid, which leads to a slow metabolism, and thus, weight gain and insulin resistance; congenital disorders or inherited disorders, like muscular dystrophy that affects the endocrine system; lipodystrophy—inability of the body to use or store fat properly; and Werner syndrome—characterized by progressive diabetes, among others.
Symptoms of insulin resistance
As long as the pancreas is able to increase insulin production sufficiently to keep your blood sugar levels in the normal range, symptoms will usually not be visible. However, in time, as the insulin-producing beta cells in your pancreas get worn out it will lead to elevated blood sugar (hyperglycemia), and one or more of the following symptoms will be seen.
- Increased thirst & hunger
- Frequent urination
- Blurry vision
- Headaches
- Slow-healing wounds
Treating Insulin Resistance, Holistically
While traditional medicine focuses on bringing down blood glucose, this doesn’t address the root cause of insulin sensitivity; and in most cases, leads to a progressive worsening.
The truth is that, barring some cases, insulin resistance can be more than managed; it can be reversed completely. At Freedom From Diabetes (FFD), we have had tremendous success with our reversal programs through our four protocols, which focus on the four primary triggers for insulin resistance, viz: diet-exercise-stress management-medical.
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